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Half The Road: The Passion, Pitfalls & Power of Women's Professional Cycling.

Half The Road started out as a documentary about the world of women's professional cycling. Then it turned into something bigger: a film about equality.

Kathryn Bertine

Film

Tucson, Arizona

United States

1 Team Member

Film Synopsis HALF THE ROAD:The Passion, Pitfalls & Power of Women's Professional Cycling

Modern society has long believed that women hold up half the sky in terms of equality and progression. So when it comes to the sport of professional cycling, why aren’t women receiving half the road?

HALF THE ROAD is a documentary film that explores the world of women’s professional cycling, focusing on both the love of sport and the pressing issues of inequality that modern-day female riders face in a male dominated sport. With footage from some of the world’s best international UCI races to interviews with Olympians, World Champions, rookies, coaches, managers, officials, doctors and family members, HALF THE ROAD offers a unique insight to the drive, dedication, and passion it takes for female cyclists to thrive. Both on and off the bike, the voices and advocates of women’s pro cycling take their audience on a journey of enlightenment, depth, strength, love, humor and best of all, change & growth.

In addition to the international race footage and athlete interviews, the film also follows director/athlete Kathryn Bertine’s quest to make the 2012 Olympics during her first year racing professionally for Team Colavita. Bertine, a three-time national champion of St. Kitts and Nevis, explores the issues faced when smaller nations try to make strides in a sport that has no history of tradition (or fiscal support) within their culture. The documentary's title, HALF THE ROAD, comes from a segment of the film where the president of a small cycling federation quotes the old adage, "Women hold up half the sky" in reference to equality. Our documentary explores the idea that, If women hold up half the sky, then the women's peloton deserves 'half the road' of opportunity, growth, support & equality within professional cycling.

Featured athletes include: 12 Olympians, 20+ nations represented, development riders, world and national champions, a U.S. Surgeon General, Ironman and Marathon champions, pro team directors, major sponsors and UCI officials. A detailed list of athletes, teams and activists will be on our website.

Director's Statement - Kathryn Bertine

About a year ago, I did something crazy. I actually listened to the little voice in my head that kept whispering, "It's time to make a documentary." The thought found it's way to my vocal chords, and then slipped out into the world with a frightening and bold proclimation: I am going to make a documentary. Once the words were on the loose, there was no turning back.

After a 15 year career in sports journalism, including columns on ESPN and espnW, the publication of two sports memoirs All the Sundays Yet to Come and As Good As Gold, and currently in the midst of a career in professional cycling, I wanted to try a new medium within media: documentary films. I had long worked with words, and was curious to see how they looked in motion.

While it was clear to me that the fascinating, untold world of women's professional cycling was the story I wanted to share via film, I had no knowledge of the cinematography side of the business. Luckily, I found someone who did: Kevin Tokstad. He signed onto the project in a leap of faith, trusting my story line and willing his cameras to do the same.

Now, over a year later, we have finished filming and we are awestruck at the content and caliber of the interviews and footage. In the next six months, we will transform the footage into a feature length documentary (~80 min) and show the world the intricate side of women's professional cycling. About halfway through the filming process, I realized we were not making a film about cycling. We were making a film about equality, society and growth...simply told through the medium of kick-ass female athletes.

While we don't want to give away every wonderful angle of the film, we will say this: In terms of passion, strength and humor, our subjects gave us more that we ever expected. For a full director's statement and if you'd like to see more about the fascinating people, nations & events featured in the film, please visit our website and follow us on twitter (links are below).

What We Need

Kevin and I started this film because of our passion for sport, equality, storytelling and videography. Every dollar earned went/will go to the film itself, as it is our professional goal to make films that matter. We were able to complete the initial filming for less than $10K, surviving on meals purchased at gas stations, bedbuggy motels, and the generosity of strangers. It was a glorious adventure with stellar results. We'd do it all again in the same manner.

Yet making a film and getting it out into the world are two different ventures. In order to produce, distribute and get HALF THE ROAD into the world, we need help with the following expenses:

What You Get

Now, we're all for mutual benefits! If you can give to us, we'd like to give back to you. Take a look at our stellar prizes and incentives listed in the PERKS column. Please remember, no donation is too small, we are grateful for every dollar.

The Impact

Your generosity in donating to HALF THE ROAD goes far beyond the expenses and price tags associated with filmmaking. Every dollar donated can make an enormous impact on our society, by sending the following messages:

* That women in sport should be treated equally to men in sport.

* That Title IX is great, but we must strive for our "Title Next."

* That you believe in every athlete--male or female--that has ever scraped by, taken a chance, chosen the pass less traveled, and dared to try.

* That gold medalists and developing athletes have messages of equal greatness.

* That--if you have a mother, sister, wife or daughter--you believe in what they can achieve.

* That you're a sports fan and you just really like anything to do with sports.

Other Ways You Can Help

Some people just can’t contribute financially, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help!

In addition to raising funds, our biggest need is generating awareness. You can help by...

Flexible FundingThis campaign has ended and will receive all funds raised.

Campaign Closed

This campaign ended on July 14, 2013

Select a Perk

$50USD

Film Credits -- You're in!

Your name will appear in our film credits! Look for your name under "I helped make this film happen!"

140
claimed

$25USD

Dollar Soldiers

I’m grateful for all amounts of pocket change from any currency, $25 or less. Every dollar tells us you believe in the power of our message, and the simple perk of being a supporter of the arts is something you believe in. Thank you!

48
claimed

$100USD

DVD & Film Credits

If you pre-order the DVD through this perk now, we will include you in our film credits. How fun will that be, to pause the film, jump on your couch and shout to your buddies, "See? See?! That's me! I helped! I am a very good person!"
(Please note: DVD won't ship till late 2013/early 2014).

182
claimed

$200USD

Wear Your Support

We'll send you a Half The Road tee shirt in your choice of size, and you'll get your name in the credits and a DVD. Sure, you could find a less expensive tee shirt, but this one says "Gosh, I really like helping female athletes!" (It doesn't actually have that printed on it. That's a metaphor.)

56
claimed

$500USD

DVD, Credits & Wellington!

In addition to the DVD and film credit, we'll send you an autographed 4X6 of 4x Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington, who thanks you for donating to HALF THE ROAD.

5
out of 10
claimed

$1,000USD

Female Athletes Rock

DVD, Film Credit, and a copy of my book, AS GOOD AS GOLD. Because heck, that's where all this crazy stuff started.

3
claimed

$2,000USD

Help a Sister Out

Choose this perk, and I'll donate $200 to the professional women's cycling team of your choice. Worldwide. You choose. Can't lose. (You get the DVD and Film Credits, too.)

0
claimed

$5,000USD

Let's Go For a Ride (in AZ!)

Come on out for a two-day trip to Tucson, AZ to ride bikes with film director Kathryn Bertine. (We'll cover airfare and hotel from a major U.S. city, and select a date for winter 2013 or spring 2014. DVD and Film Credits too.)

1
claimed

$10,000USD

Executive Producer

Any amount coming in at or over $10K grants you the title of Executive Producer. I might even get you one of those little chairs. I will definitely fetch your coffee. You can use your DVD case as a coaster, and see your name in the credits... in very large font. We'll discuss it further in Tucson, when you come out to ride with me.